Folding frame system with cantilever arrangement

ABSTRACT

A cantilever arrangement for a folding structure is provided. The folding structure is of the type including a plurality of strut members foldable between an open position in which the strut members define a non-zero angle with each other and a closed position in which the strut members define a substantially 0° angle with each other. The cantilever strut arrangement includes a first cantilever strut pivotably adapted to be attached at a first point on the folding structure and a first support member adapted to be attached at a second point on the folding structure and attached at a point on the first cantilever strut. When the folding structure is folded to the closed position, the first cantilever strut member defines a substantially 0° angle with the strut members.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present invention relates to folding frame systems and, moreparticularly, to folding frame systems including cantilever arrangementsuseful for, e.g., doorway arrangements and frame system connectionarrangements.

My U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,946, which is incorporated by reference,discloses forming shelters from a plurality of expandable andcollapsible frame modules, each frame module comprising a plurality ofscissor-strut arrangements connected end-to-end by hub assemblies. Theframe modules are particularly well-suited for use in forming sheltersin the form of arches.

While shelters such as those in U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,946 are collapsibleto facilitate transporting the shelters by means such as trucks todesired locations, there is a practical limit to how large of a sheltercan be transported in a single crate, although that limit will, ofcourse, vary depending upon the construction of the shelter. However, inthe field, it will often be desirable to connect a plurality of sheltersto form one large shelter with a plurality of connected sections, suchas for use for large vehicle repairs and maintenance, or for use as amobile hospital or a command center. It is desirable to provide anarrangement to facilitate the connection of two or more discrete framesystems to form a single, larger frame system.

Particularly with structures in the form of arches, access to theinterior of the structures is generally available at only one end of thestructure. However, it is often desirable to have access to thestructure at various points along the length of the structure, asopposed to merely having access at the ends of the structure. It isdesirable to provide an arrangement to facilitate access to a structurecomprising a frame system.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a modular framesystem comprises a frame system comprising a first and a secondplurality of scissor assemblies, each scissor assembly of the first andthe second plurality of scissor assemblies comprising at least a pair ofpivotably connected struts, the scissor assemblies of each of the firstand the second plurality of scissor assemblies being pivotably connectedend to end by hub assemblies at ends of the struts, the hub assemblieshaving first and second ends, the scissor assemblies of the first andthe second plurality of scissor assemblies being movable from a closedposition in which the struts of the at least one strut pair of eachscissor assembly are substantially parallel and ends of the struts aresubstantially adjacent, and an open position in which all of the strutsof the at least one strut pair of each scissor assembly define non-zeroangles with each other and the ends of the struts are separated by apredetermined distance, and a scissor assembly connection arrangement,comprising, for at least one scissor assembly of the first and secondplurality of scissor assemblies, a first connecting strut pivotablyattached at a first end thereof to a first end of a hub assembly, and asecond connecting strut pivotably attached at a first end thereof to asecond end of the hub assembly, the second connecting strut beingpivotably attached to the first connecting strut, each first connectingstrut for the first scissor assembly being removably attached to acorresponding first connecting strut of the second scissor assembly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a modularframe system comprises a frame system comprising a plurality of scissorassemblies, each scissor assembly of the plurality of scissor assembliescomprising at least a pair of pivotably connected struts, the scissorassemblies of the plurality of scissor assemblies being pivotablyconnected end to end by hub assemblies at ends of the struts, the hubassemblies having first and second ends, the scissor assemblies beingmovable from a closed position in which the struts of the at least onestrut pair of each scissor assembly are substantially parallel and endsof the struts are substantially adjacent, and an open position in whichall of the struts of the at least one strut pair of each scissorassembly define non-zero angles with each other and the ends of thestruts are separated by a predetermined distance, and a cantileverarrangement attached to at least one of the pairs of pivotably connectedstruts, the cantilever assembly comprising a cantilever strut pivotablyattached at a first end thereof to an end of a hub assembly, and asecond member pivotably attached to an opposite end of the hub assemblyand to the cantilever strut.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, acantilever arrangement for a folding structure is provided. The foldingstructure is of the type comprising a plurality of strut membersfoldable between an open position in which the strut members define anon-zero angle with each other and a closed position in which the strutmembers define a substantially 0° angle with each other. The cantileverstrut arrangement comprises a first cantilever strut pivotably adaptedto be attached at a first point on the folding structure and a firstsupport member adapted to be attached at a second point on the foldingstructure and attached at a point on the first cantilever strut. Whenthe folding structure is folded to the closed position, the firstcantilever strut member defines a substantially 0° angle with the strutmembers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention are well understoodby reading the following detailed description in conjunction with thedrawings in which like numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C are frontal cross-sectional, side, and top views of framesystems according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C are front, side, and top views of a shelter according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of a portion of a frame system according to anembodiment of the present invention shown in an open position and aclosed position, respectively;

FIG. 4A is a side view of a scissor assembly connection arrangementaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4B is a sideview of a scissor assembly connection arrangement together withconnected scissor assemblies according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIGS. 4C and 4D are side and top cross-sectional views ofa manual locking arrangement for a scissor assembly connectionarrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5A is a side view of a cantilever arrangement according to anembodiment of the present invention and FIG. 5B is a partiallycross-sectional view of a portion of the cantilever arrangement as shownin FIG. 5A taken at section 5B-5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Modular frame system 21 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is seen in FIGS. 1A-1C. Frame system 21 of the general typeshown in FIGS. 1A-1C can be used to form shelters 23 such as are shownin FIGS. 2A-2C, however, other forms of frame systems than thosespecifically illustrated can be used to form shelters and otherstructures other than those specifically illustrated. Also, it will benoted that FIG. 1A shows a frame system 21 in the form of an arch havingeight pairs of scissor assemblies connected end-to-end; FIGS. 1B-1C showa frame system 21 similar to that of FIG. 1A having ten pairs of scissorassemblies connected end-to-end; and the shelters 23 shown in FIGS.2A-2C show covers over frame systems (not shown) that will ordinarily bemade up of six pairs of scissor assemblies connected end-to-end, toidentify only a few differences between the frame systems of FIGS. 1Aand 1B-1C and the shelters of FIGS. 2A-2C. For purposes of discussion,frame systems of the general type described in my U.S. Pat. No.5,230,196, U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,946, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,934, whichare incorporated by reference, will be used to describe illustrative,but not limiting, environments in which the present invention can beused.

As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the frame system 21 comprises a first and asecond plurality of scissor assemblies 25 and 27. FIG. 1A is across-sectional view and shows, on the left side, scissor assemblies 25and, on the right side, scissor assemblies 27. As seen in FIG. 1A, eachscissor assembly 25 and 27 of the first and the second plurality ofscissor assemblies comprises at least a pair of pivotably connectedstruts 29 and 31, and 33 and 35, respectively. As seen in FIG. 1A, thescissor assemblies 25 and 27 of each of the first and the secondplurality of scissor assemblies are pivotably connected end to end byhub assemblies 37 at ends of the struts. As seen in FIG. 3A, which willdescribe the scissor assemblies 25 for purposes of illustration, itbeing understood that the description applies as well to the scissorassemblies 27, the hub assemblies 37 have first and second ends 39 and41. The scissor assemblies 25 are movable from a closed position (FIG.3B) in which the struts 29 and 31 of each scissor assembly aresubstantially parallel and ends 43 and 45 of the struts 29 and 31 (and35 and 33), respectively, are substantially adjacent, and an openposition (FIG. 3A) in which all of the struts of each scissor assemblydefine non-zero angles with each other and the ends of the struts areseparated by a predetermined distance D1.

Components of a scissor assembly connection arrangement 47 are seen inFIGS. 1B-1C and 4A-4D. A scissor assembly connection arrangement 47 canbe provided for at least one scissor assembly 25 and 27 of the first andsecond plurality of scissor assemblies and, ordinarily, is providedbetween each scissor assembly of the first plurality of scissorassemblies and a corresponding scissor assembly the second plurality ofscissor assemblies. As seen, for example, in FIGS. 4A-4D, the scissorassembly connection arrangement 47 can include a first connecting strut49 pivotably attached at a first end 51 (FIGS. 4A-4B) thereof to a firstend 39 of a hub assembly 37. The scissor assembly connection arrangement47 can also include a second connecting strut 53 pivotably attached at afirst end 55 thereof to a second end 41 of the hub assembly 37. Thesecond connecting strut 53 can be pivotably attached to the firstconnecting strut 49. Ordinarily, the second connecting strut 53 will bepivotably attached at a second end 57 thereof to a substantial midpoint59 of the first connecting strut 49.

As seen in FIG. 4B, a second end 61 each first connecting strut 49 forthe first scissor assembly(ies) 25 is removably attached to acorresponding first connecting strut 49 of the second scissorassembly(ies) 27. In this way, a convenient means of connectingotherwise separate frame systems can be provided. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1B-1C, scissor assemblies 25 and 27 at ends oftwo separate frame systems 21 can be joined together at an ereactionsite, while those separate frame systems can be shipped separately,thereby avoiding the need to have all components of a frame system in asingle package or shipment.

The second connecting strut 53 and the first connecting strut 49 can bepivotably attached to each other such that, when the first connectingstrut of a first scissor assembly 25 is disconnected from a firstconnecting strut of a second scissor assembly 27, the struts of the atleast one strut pair 29 and 31, and 33 and 35, and the second connectingstrut 53 and the first connecting strut 49 are adapted to be pivotedbetween the closed position in which the struts of the at least onestrut pair of each scissor assembly and the second connecting strut andthe first connecting strut are substantially parallel, and an openposition in which all of the struts of the at least one strut pair ofeach scissor assembly and the second connecting strut and the firstconnecting strut define non-zero angles with each other.

The hub assemblies 37 in the illustrated embodiments are of the typethat each include first and second elongated members 37 a and 37 b thatare lockable relative to each other to retain the ends of the strutsseparated by the predetermined distance. A manual lock 63 (FIGS. 4A, 5A)that can be in any suitable form can be used to connect the first andsecond elongated members 37 a and 37 b. A suitable form of manual lockincludes telescoping end portions of the first and second elongatedmembers that can be secured together by a spring loaded button disposedinside an inner one of the end portions that extends through holes inboth of the end portions. Other hub assemblies may include multiplediscrete components to which struts and other structures are attached.For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney DocketNo. 000002-084), entitled FOLDABLE FRAME ELEMENT AND SYSTEM WITH TENSIONLOCK, filed on even date herewith, discloses hub assemblies for shelterswith outer and inner components that are not connected to each other andare retained at a predetermined distance from each other by other means,in this case by a tension lock arrangement.

The second connecting strut 53 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1B and4A-4B is ordinarily in compression when the first and second scissorassemblies 25 and 27 are in the open position. Such an arrangement inthe illustrated embodiments facilitates forming a supporting frame foran outer cover with the various scissors of the first and secondplurality of scissor assemblies and the first connecting struts 49 thatis substantially continuous, for example, in the sense that it has nosignificant depression at the location of the first connecting struts.Of course, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4A could be turned upside downso that the second connecting strut is in tension and a depression wouldbe formed.

As seen in FIGS. 4B-4D, a manual lock 65 can be associated with secondends 61 of each first connecting strut 49 for locking the second ends ofeach first connecting strut to the corresponding second end of acorresponding first connecting strut. The manual lock 65 can be in anysuitable form, such as in the form of the manual lock 63 described inconnection with the hub assemblies 37. The manual lock 65 illustrated inFIGS. 4C-4D comprises spring loaded buttons 67 disposed in the secondends 61 of each first connecting strut 49. A sleeve 69 is adapted toslide over both of the second ends 61. The buttons 67 extend throughholes 71 in the second ends 61 of each first connecting strut 49 andthrough holes 73 in the sleeve 69 to lock the first connecting strutsrelative to each other.

As seen in FIGS. 3A and 5A-5B, a cantilever arrangement 75 can beprovided and is particularly useful as a means for providing an accesspoint in a frame system or shelter that would ordinarily only have anaccess point at an end of the structure, such as an elongated archstructure of the type shown in FIGS. 1A-2C. The cantilever arrangement75 comprises a cantilever strut 77 pivotably attached at a first end 79thereof to an end of a hub assembly 37, ordinarily the inner end, suchas the second end 41 shown in FIG. 5A. The cantilever arrangement 75also comprises a second member 81 pivotably attached at a first end 83to an opposite end of the hub assembly 37, such as the first end 39 andto the cantilever strut 77.

Much like the scissor assembly connection arrangement 47, the cantileverarrangement 75 is ordinarily foldable such that the cantilever strut 77and the second member 81 are adapted to be pivoted between the closedposition in which at least the struts 29 and 31 and 33 and 35 of thestrut pairs of each scissor assembly 25 and 27 and the cantilever strutare substantially parallel, and an open position in which all of thestruts of the at least one strut pair of each scissor assembly definenon-zero angles with each other and the ends of the struts are separatedby a predetermined distance. However, as seen in, e.g., FIG. 1A-1C and3A, in the open position, the cantilever strut 77 defines a secondnon-zero angle with struts 29 and 31 and 33 and 35 of the at least onestrut pair of each scissor assembly 25 and 27 that is different than thenon-zero angle defined by the struts of the at least one strut pair witheach other.

As seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, a cover 85 for covering an exterior of themodular frame system 21 can be provided to form a shelter 23. A portion87 of the cover can be suspended by a first and a second cantileverarrangement 75. The portion 87 can include a doorway 89 to facilitateingress and egress from the shelter 23. The first and second cantileverarrangements 75 are pivotably attached to the first plurality of scissorassemblies, e.g., to a first scissor assembly 25, and to the secondplurality of scissor assemblies, e.g., to a second scissor assembly 27.Ordinarily, they are attached to the scissor assemblies in the sensethat they are pivotably attached to the hubs 37 associated with thosescissor assemblies. As seen in FIGS. 1B-1C, the cantilever arrangements75 can be provided on different scissor assemblies of a single framesystem 21 or on scissor assemblies of multiple frame systems, i.e., byscissor assemblies of frame systems that are connected to scissorassembly connection arrangements. Ordinarily, tension members 91 (e.g.,FIG. 3A) are provided at various locations along the frame system 21.Inner and outer covers may function as the tension members but,ordinarily tension members in the form of, e.g., cables, will beprovided as well as covers. Tension members are disclosed in, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 5,230,196, U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,946, and U.S. Pat. No.6,141,934, which are incorporated by reference.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 3A, and 5A-5B, the second member 81is a flexible member, such as a cable with cable connectors 91 tofacilitate attachment to a portion of a hub 37, such as by a bolt,screw, or rivet. If the second member 81 is flexible, when the framesystem 21 is in an open position, the second member will ordinarily bearranged so that it is in tension. If the second member 81 is notflexible, such as if a rigid strut is used as the second member, thesecond member may be arranged so that it is in tension or compression,i.e., by turning the cantilever arrangement shown in FIG. 5A upsidedown.

As seen in FIG. 5B, the cantilever arrangement 75 ordinarily extends ata different angle from the hub 37 than the struts that are pivotablyattached to the hub. This is not, however, necessary and the cantileverarrangement may extend substantially parallel to, e.g., the strutsforming the arch, which may be useful if it is desired to provide alarger opening.

In the present application, the use of terms such as “including” isopen-ended and is intended to have the same meaning as terms such as“comprising” and not preclude the presence of other structure, material,or acts. Similarly, though the use of terms such as “can” or “may” isintended to be open-ended and to reflect that structure, material, oracts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended toreflect that structure, material, or acts are essential. To the extentthat structure, material, or acts are presently considered to beessential, they are identified as such.

While this invention has been illustrated and described in accordancewith a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that variations andchanges may be made therein without departing from the invention as setforth in the claims.

1. A modular frame system, comprising: a frame system comprising a firstand a second plurality of scissor assemblies, each scissor assembly ofthe first and the second plurality of scissor assemblies comprising atleast a pair of pivotably connected struts, the scissor assemblies ofeach of the first and the second plurality of scissor assemblies beingpivotably connected end to end by hub assemblies at ends of the struts,the hub assemblies having first and second ends, the scissor assembliesof the first and the second plurality of scissor assemblies beingmovable from a closed position in which the struts of the at least onestrut pair of each scissor assembly are substantially parallel and endsof the struts are substantially adjacent, and an open position in whichall of the struts of the at least one strut pair of each scissorassembly define non-zero angles with each other and the ends of thestruts are separated by a predetermined distance; and a scissor assemblyconnection arrangement, comprising, for at least one scissor assembly ofthe first and second plurality of scissor assemblies, a first connectingstrut pivotably attached at a first end thereof to a first end of a hubassembly, and a second connecting strut pivotably attached at a firstend thereof to a second end of the hub assembly, the second connectingstrut being pivotably attached to the first connecting strut, each firstconnecting strut for the first scissor assembly being removably attachedto a corresponding first connecting strut of the second scissorassembly.
 2. The modular frame system as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe second connecting strut and the first connecting strut are pivotablyattached to each other such that, when the first connecting strut of afirst scissor assembly is disconnected from a first connecting strut ofa second scissor assembly, the struts of the at least one strut pair andthe second connecting strut and the first connecting strut are adaptedto be pivoted between the closed position in which the struts of the atleast one strut pair of each scissor assembly and the second connectingstrut and the first connecting strut are substantially parallel, and anopen position in which all of the struts of the at least one strut pairof each scissor assembly and the second connecting strut and the firstconnecting strut define non-zero angles with each other.
 3. The modularframe system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second end of thesecond connecting strut is pivotably attached to the first connectingstrut.
 4. The modular frame system as set forth in claim 1, wherein thehub assemblies each include first and second members that are lockablerelative to each other to retain the ends of the struts separated by thepredetermined distance.
 5. The modular frame system as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the second connecting strut is in compression when thefirst and second scissor assemblies are in the open position.
 6. Themodular frame system as set forth in claim 1, comprising a manual lockassociated with second ends of each first connecting strut for lockingthe second ends of each first connecting strut to the correspondingsecond end of a corresponding first connecting strut.
 7. The modularframe system as set forth in claim 1, comprising a cantileverarrangement comprising a cantilever strut pivotably attached at a firstend thereof to an end of a hub assembly, and a second member pivotablyattached to an opposite end of the hub assembly and to the cantileverstrut.
 8. The modular frame system as set forth in claim 7, wherein thecantilever arrangement is foldable such that the cantilever strut andthe second member are adapted to be pivoted between the closed positionin which at least the struts of the at least one strut pair of eachscissor assembly and the cantilever strut are substantially parallel,and an open position in which all of the struts of the at least onestrut pair of each scissor assembly define non-zero angles with eachother and the ends of the struts are separated by a predetermineddistance.
 9. The modular frame system as set forth in claim 8, wherein,in the open position, the cantilever strut defines a second non-zeroangle with struts of the at least one strut pair of each scissorassembly that is different than the non-zero angle defined by the strutsof the at least one strut pair with each other.
 10. The modular framesystem as set forth in claim 8, wherein the second connecting strut andthe first connecting strut are pivotably attached to each other suchthat, when the first connecting strut of a first scissor assembly isdisconnected from a first connecting strut of a second scissor assembly,the struts of the at least one strut pair and the second connectingstrut and the first connecting strut are adapted to be pivoted betweenthe closed position in which the struts of the at least one strut pairof each scissor assembly and the second connecting strut and the firstconnecting strut are substantially parallel, and an open position inwhich all of the struts of the at least one strut pair of each scissorassembly and the second connecting strut and the first connecting strutdefine non-zero angles with each other.
 11. The modular frame system asset forth in claim 7, comprising a cover for covering an exterior of themodular frame system, a portion of the cover being suspended by a firstand a second cantilever arrangement and including a doorway, the firstcantilever arrangement being pivotably attached to the first pluralityof scissor assemblies and the second cantilever arrangement beingpivotably attached to the second plurality of scissor assemblies. 12.The modular frame system as set forth in claim 7, comprising a cover forcovering an exterior of the modular frame system, a portion of the coverbeing suspended by a first and a second cantilever arrangement andincluding a doorway, the first and the second cantilever arrangementbeing pivotably attached to two respective scissor assemblies.
 13. Amodular frame system, comprising: a frame system comprising a pluralityof scissor assemblies, each scissor assembly of the plurality of scissorassemblies comprising at least a pair of pivotably connected struts, thescissor assemblies of the plurality of scissor assemblies beingpivotably connected end to end by hub assemblies at ends of the struts,the hub assemblies having first and second ends, the scissor assembliesbeing movable from a closed position in which the struts of the at leastone strut pair of each scissor assembly are substantially parallel andends of the struts are substantially adjacent, and an open position inwhich all of the struts of the at least one strut pair of each scissorassembly define non-zero angles with each other and the ends of thestruts are separated by a predetermined distance; and a cantileverarrangement attached to at least one of the pairs of pivotably connectedstruts, the cantilever assembly comprising a cantilever strut pivotablyattached at a first end thereof to an end of a hub assembly, and asecond member pivotably attached to an opposite end of the hub assemblyand to the cantilever strut.
 14. The modular frame system as set forthin claim 13, wherein the cantilever arrangement is foldable such thatthe cantilever strut and the second member are adapted to be pivotedbetween the closed position in which at least the struts of the at leastone strut pair of each scissor assembly and the cantilever strut aresubstantially parallel, and an open position in which all of the strutsof the at least one strut pair of each scissor assembly define non-zeroangles with each other and the ends of the struts are separated by apredetermined distance.
 15. The modular frame system as set forth inclaim 13, wherein the second member is a flexible member.
 16. Themodular frame system as set forth in claim 13, wherein, when the framesystem is in an open position, the second member is in tension.
 17. Themodular frame system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the frame systemcomprises first and second scissor assemblies arranged parallel to eachother when the frame system is in an open position, first and secondcantilever arrangements being attached to at least one of the pairs ofpivotably connected struts of each of the first and second scissorassemblies, respectively.
 18. The modular frame system as set forth inclaim 17, comprising a cover for covering an exterior of the modularframe system, a portion of the cover being suspended by the first andthe second cantilever arrangement and including a doorway.
 19. Themodular frame system as set forth in claim 13, wherein, in the openposition, the cantilever strut defines a second non-zero angle withstruts of the at least one strut pair that is different than thenon-zero angle defined by the struts of the at least one strut pair witheach other.
 20. A cantilever arrangement for a folding structure, thefolding structure comprising a plurality of strut members foldablebetween an open position in which the strut members define a non-zeroangle with each other and a closed position in which the strut membersdefine a substantially 0° angle with each other, the cantilever strutarrangement comprising: a first cantilever strut pivotably adapted to beattached at a first point on the folding structure; and a first supportmember adapted to be attached at a second point on the folding structureand attached at a point on the first cantilever strut, wherein, when thefolding structure is folded to the closed position, the first cantileverstrut member defines a substantially 0° angle with the strut members.21. The cantilever arrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein thefirst support member is a second cantilever strut.
 22. The cantileverarrangement as set forth in claim 21, wherein the first support memberis in compression when the folding structure is in the open position.23. The cantilever arrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein thefirst support member is in compression when the folding structure is inthe open position.
 23. The cantilever arrangement as set forth in claim20, wherein the first support member is a cable.
 24. The cantileverarrangement as set forth in claim 20, wherein the first support memberis a tension member.
 25. The cantilever arrangement as set forth inclaim 20, wherein the first cantilever strut and the first supportmember define a first cantilever, the cantilever arrangement comprisinga second cantilever comprising a second cantilever strut and a secondsupport member, and a cover adapted to be suspended by the first and thesecond cantilevers and including a doorway.